"Stix Wins. You Die."

"Bang Bang."

These two 30mm tall metal figures of two Stix Brothers are produced by “Warlord Games” and can be purchased as part of a boxed three-model expansion set for the Nottingham-based manufacturer's "Strontium Dog" Miniatures Game. Ruthless Bounty Hunters "that will kill anyone for money", the clone Search/Destroy Agents were created by John Wagner, Alan Grant, and artist Carlos Ezquerra in October 1980 for the British anthology comic book "2000 A.D."

Originally undercoated using a double layer of "Vallejo" Dark Sand, the strontium-90 mutated siblings were washed with "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade and subsequently dry-brushed with (more) "Vallejo" Dark Sand. Their Search/Destroy agent badges were 'picked out' using a combination of Dark Red and "Citadel" Carroburg Crimson, whilst the stone-cold killers' numerous straps and broad-brimmed hats were treated to a coat of "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna before being shaded with (more) Strong Tone Quickshade by "The Army Painter".

Mei-Lin Mayfair 2.0 WIPs - The mini should make a good proxy for Major Motoko Kusanagi

In addition I painted the "unprincipled, untrustworthy and utterly ruthless" villains' hair with "Vallejo" White and "Citadel" Nuln Oil, as well as pigmented their skin using some "Vallejo" Heavy Skintone and "Citadel" Reikland Fleshshade. As I had previously left their brother's eyes "Vallejo" Black, given he was wearing a spaghetti western styled cowboy hat, I decided against 'spotting in' this pair's eyes too and instead simply highlighted around their cheekbones and nose with a dollop of "Vallejo" Skintone.

Having finished off some of Johnny Alpha's most famous antagonists I have made some more in-roads into my 'spur-of-the-moment' project inspired by "Ghost In The Shell" and utilising several models by "Statuesque Miniatures". One of this company's figures, Mei-Lin Mayfair 2.0, has particularly caught my imagination as a proxy for Major Motoko Kusanagi, and resultantly I have primed, shaded, dry-brushed and even started detailing the sculpt ready for the tabletop.

Khorgus Khul WIP - The Mighty Lord of Chaos has been assembled, based and primed

Stepping away from metal miniatures and instead turning to the hard-plastic of "Games Workshop" I have also started working on the General for my "Age Of Sigmar" Khorne Army, Khorgus Khul. This "Mighty Lord of Chaos" was actually rather straightforward to assemble as he only came in six pieces, but will clearly prove something of a challenge to paint considering all the warrior's incredible detail and 'hard to reach' areas.

Currently I only own 270 points of painted Khorne models to field on the table, so considering that bloodthirsty murderer costs a whopping 180 points in "The General's Handbook 2018", he should help me near my force's half-way point reasonably quickly; albeit the figure also comes with his formidable Flesh Hound of Khorne, Grizzlemaw on his unit's base too. Fortunately, repeated listenings of the audio novel "Realmgate Wars, Book 1 - The Gates of Azyr" by Chris Wraight is keeping me well-motivated as Khul features prominently throughout and is superbly voiced by Jonathan Keeble...

Nurgle Is A Perversely Paternal God..."

"...Generous with his foul gifts and proud of his worshippers' every disgusting achievement."

These two tiny 28mm scale Nurglings are by "Games Workshop" and can be found inside the company's Plaguebearers of Nurgle boxed set for "Age Of Sigmar". Ordinarily, these little solitary chaps don't actually serve any purpose as part of the tabletop wargame, except as simple scenic adornments upon the bases of my other Nurgle units. However, I've previously felt that they'd make 'cute' thematic damage markers for some of my Plague Lord Host's larger creatures, such as my Putrid Blightkings or Rotbringer's Sorcerer, so resultantly decided to paint-up another pair in order to (once again) re-familiarise myself with the palette I employ when usually pigmenting my Maggotkin of Nurgle.

Initially given a double undercoat of “Vallejo” Heavy Khaki, the lesser daemons were washed with “Citadel” Biel-Tan Green and dry-brushed with more “Vallejo” Heavy Khaki. I then ‘picked out’ any spilling guts or innards with a combination of Squid Pink and "Citadel" Carroburg Crimson. In addition, I applied some "Vallejo" Iraqi Sand and "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade to the pair's horns, and some "Vallejo" Dead White and Heavy Red to their teeth and eyes respectively. I also applied a little Strong Tone Quickshade by "The Army Painter" to their bodies in order to create a little extra shadow and blended this in with a superficial dry-brush of (even more) “Vallejo” Heavy Khaki.

The Stix Brothers WIPs - The "ice-hearted killers" are almost ready for their shades to be applied

The release of the new edition of "Warhammer Age of Sigmar" has really captured my imagination, to the point where I'm now planning on participating in the official Warhammer: Age of Sigmar Doubles Tournament at Warhammer World towards the end of next year. This "classic event" will be an entirely new experience for me, as I've never played Matched Play or Pitched Battles before, but have been somewhat pleased to discover that in line with the new point costs found within the General's Handbook 2018, I already have more than enough painted Nurgle units to field the required 1000 point force, including my favourite spell the Balewind Vortex.

However, what I do lack is an understanding of the new rules, especially the changes to Summoning, the Magic System, and Command Abilities, so expect plenty of future battle reports, after action write-ups and of course extra models for both my ever-expanding Nurgle Host and its numerous enemies, like Khorne. I'm also hoping to assemble and 'field' a few other Vanguard-sized armies over the next twelve months which are currently still cellophaned up and gathering dust upon my shelves, such as the Stormcast, Death, Beastmen, Sea Aelves and Kharadron Overlords...

Resistance Fighters WIPs - The Soviet-influenced models have been assembled, based and primed

Of course, that doesn't mean I haven't been working on this month's mini-project to paint the three models found within the "Warlord Games" Stix Brothers expansion box for their "Strontium Dog" skirmish game. Despite their rather uninspiring static poses, my two remaining cloned Search/Destroy agents are almost ready for shading and highlighting. A good job too, as the Nottingham-based manufacturer has just released even more figures of the "2000 A.D." comic book-based body hunters, including my favourite "unsavoury aliens" Darkus and his Howler henchmen.

Lastly, I have discovered some wonderfully characterful Resistance Fighters by "Statuesque Miniatures". I'm planning on using the heavily-armed ladies for a 'Ghost In The Shell/Terminator' mash-up of some kind, and strongly influenced by the Soviet's uniforms during World War Two, I have already started applying a few base coats to the first four of my soldiers.

“Hold It. Alpha’s Smart. Double Back For Sure.”

"Escape pods Level K. Watch 'em."

This 30mm tall metal model of one of the Stix Brothers is produced by “Warlord Games” and can be purchased as one of three miniatures from the Nottingham-based manufacturer's "Strontium Dog" range. Part of "a clan of apparently identical mutants of indeterminate number" the bounty hunters were created by John Wagner, Alan Grant, and artist Carlos Ezquerra in October 1980 for a "2000 A.D." comic book story-line which featured Johnny Alpha hunting down Adolf Hitler.

Initially primed using two layers of "Vallejo" Dark Sand, the Vancleef System-born brother was shaded using "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade and later dry-brushed with (more) "Vallejo" Dark Sand. The Search/Destroy agent's badge was 'picked out' using a combination of Dark Red and "Citadel" Carroburg Crimson, whilst his numerous straps and top of his broad-brimmed hat were treated to a coat of "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna before being washed with (more) Strong Tone Quickshade by "The Army Painter".

Rocket Raccoon, Monkey Joe, Molly Hayes and Groot approach a dangerous-looking objective marker

As some final steps I painted the cold-hearted villain's hair with "Vallejo" White and "Citadel" Nuln Oil, and treated his skin to some "Vallejo" Heavy Skintone and "Citadel" Reikland Fleshshade. I also slightly 'hummed and hawed' over whether to 'spot' the ruthless gunslinger's eyes or not, but in the end decided to leave them "Vallejo" Black as if heavily overshadowed by his spaghetti western styled head-wear and highlight around the cheekbones and nose with a dab or two of "Vallejo" Skintone.

Recently I've become more determined than other to play at least a handful of games a month, and was therefore delighted to grasp the opportunity this past weekend to throw down some of my repainted "Heroclix" collection, randomise a few objective markers across a desert settlement and play a few rounds of my homemade Super-hero rules, "M.I.S.S." This veritable mash-up was a real hoot and based upon the unlikely premise of the Black Manta and his U-Men clambering up out of a desert well so as to invade a settlement and surprisingly finding themselves face-to-face with the forces of the Dark Knight instead.

As Batman strives to reach Ben Grimm, the Man-Thing, Robin and Molly Hayes hold some of the other objectives

At the start things actually looked pretty good for the villainous David Hyde and his firearm-carrying frogmen with the black-costumed knaves shockingly gunning down both Rocket Raccoon and Monkey Joe as the heroes tried to approach an undercover Benjamin Grimm (Objective). However, once Batman and Nightwing joined the fray not even the sinister presence of Black Manta himself could prevent that particular flank from folding under a torrent of bat-shaped throwing stars.

To make matters worse, my formidably-sized contingent of nine U-Men were quickly whittled away courtesy of a nasty combination of gun-fire and jaw-dropping punches, leaving Commissioner Gordon and Molly Hayes to successfully push through to the battlefield's central objective, the Cosmic Cube. Despite my taking down Howard the Duck with a harpoon through the dratted bird's wise-cracking cigar-chomping beak, I was unable to subsequently mount any sort of counter-attack and ultimately watched helplessly as the Boy Wonder beat up the last of my surviving frogmen who were desperately trying to protect a Doctor Pepper drinks machine. What a diabolical performance...    

(Lead) Mountain Musings - "Strontium Dog" August 2018

The Stix Brothers WIPs - The "ice-hearted killers" have been primed and are slowly having their details painted

This month's themed attempt to try and reduce my sadly, ever-growing collection of metal, plastic and resin miniatures will focus upon a selection of recently arrived figures manufactured by "Warlord Games" as part of their "Strontium Dog" range. "Defined by legendary comic creators John Wagner and Carlos Ezquerra" within the pages of the British anthology comic "2000 A.D.", this "skirmish tabletop battle game for two or more players" focuses upon mutated Search/Destroy agents and their "dangerous universe full of outlaws, pirates and corruption."

Fortunately, I was able to have a good preview the rulebook a few weeks before the "Strontium Dog: The Good the Bad and the Mutie" starter game was released, and was therefore rather 'encouraged' to purchase both "the classic confrontation between... Johnny Alpha & Wulf Sternhammer and the infamous Max Bubba’s gang", as well as my favourite Search/ Destroy agents, the Stix Brothers. Resultantly, I thought I actually paint up the comic strip's two main protagonists, alongside arguably their most memorable mutant nemesis' from the town called Stixville on the planet Freedonia.

Neophyte Hybrid Kill Team WIPs - The Genestealer cultists have been assembled and undercoated

For now I've simply managed to prime the first three of the "ice-hearted killers who affect the look of gunfighters from Earth’s Old West", and begin 'picking out' their boots, holsters, straps, gloved hands and firearms. Because "nobody is sure how many Stixes there are" there is always the potential to purchase more of these hopefully straightforward-to-paint figures, but with the Nottingham-based company already offering so many other of the comic's characters, from the Weerdz to Darkus' Howlers, I doubt I'll be tempted to do so for some time yet...

In addition, "Games Workshop" have released their latest incarnation of "Warhammer 40,000: Kill Team", which contains an assortment of their hard plastic multi-part miniatures, including a posse of Devoted Sons. I've loved the look of these Neophyte Hybrids ever since the possibility of a Genestealer Cult was first raised within the pages of "White Dwarf", so simply couldn't resist the opportunity to own a handful of the figures without the need (or expense) of buying a battleforce or bundle.

Boromite Work Ganger WIPs - The alien just needs some of his rocky skin to be shaded

The boxed set comes with enough models for a complete Kill Team, so I have set to work assembling and undercoating my merciless band's leader, Yorl Krauss, and a cult icon carrier already. I'm really hoping to get the makings of these faithfuls ones finished rather quickly, as the Writhing Shadow Tyranid starter set has already been announced and that means potentially building a second team of "multi-limbed monstrosities... armed with rending claws and scything talons" in the near future.

Of course, so many new projects means I've been desperately attempting to finish off some of my older ones, such as my 500-point Boromite Scouting Force for “Beyond The Gates Of Antares”. This final extra-terrestrial miner still needs a portion of his stony skin shaded and his facial features 'highlighted', but should soon bring to an end a somewhat grinding, oft-times frustratingly slow, year-long challenge.

"Legions Of Doombots Pursue Doom's Maniacal Plans."

"Some are more deadly than others..."

This 38mm tall “Wizkids” model of Doombot 3095 is miniature number 106 from the Secret Invasion Marvel Comics "Heroclix" range and was once also available as part of the New Jersey-based company's Fantastic Four 2010 Starter Set. Created by Doctor Doom to act as robot soldiers, and "often equipped with weapons such as laser rifles", these Servo-Guards "were programmed to recognise any enemy", as well as "protect the people of Latveria."

The plastic figure's original pink pre-paint was 'masked' using two coats of "Vallejo" Heavy Violet and had it's boots, gloves and pants 'picked out' with Heavy Blue and "Citadel" Drakenhof Nightshade. I then applied some a combination of Ironbreaker and Nuln Oil to the defence droid's firearm and head. These areas were later dry-brushed with more Ironbreaker so as to try and bring out the sculpt's somewhat soft detail.

Hiss, Cuss & Silent Weerd WIPs - The three Search/Destroy agents have been built, based and primed

The Doombot's face was painted using some "Vallejo" Heavy Skintone, a splash of "Citadel" Reikland Fleshshade, and a 'highlight' of some additional "Vallejo" Heavy Skintone to brighten up its cheek areas and nose. Finally, the automaton had his purple armour shaded with "Citadel" Druchii Violet.

Maintaining my momentum for the "Strontium Dog Starter Game: The Good, the Bad and the Mutie" by "Warlord Games", I have assembled, based and primed the three metal miniatures which can be found within The Weerds expansion box. Consisting of Cuss, Hiss and Silent, who "fought alongside Johnny Alpha during the first mutant war", I actually experienced a couple of frustrating problems with these miniatures.

Boromite Work Ganger WIPs - The alien miner still needs a lot of attention

The sculpts themselves are fine, but Cuss and Silent each lost one of their hand-weapons within seconds of my opening their blister. Upon close inspection the pair of miniatures both seemingly suffered with some terribly crumbly metal, and resultantly I have had to drill, pin and super-glue their blasters back into place...

Finally, I have actually been persevering with one of the last models I need to complete in order to finally field my 500-point Scouting Force for “Beyond The Gates Of Antares”. This remaining rocky-skinned miner still needs all his weaponry, ammunition packs and hip-flask to be pigmented, along with his impressive Mass Compactor, but I'm confident I should be able to get the Work Ganger completed within the next few days.

The Boromite Guilds Are All That They Have Of A Home..."

"...For long ago the Boromites spread to the ends of the Antarean universe."

This 28mm metal Boromite Work Ganger is manufactured by "Warlord Games" and comes as part of the Boromite Work Gang boxed set for "Beyond The Gates Of Antares". "Supplied unassembled and unpainted" this extra-terrestrial miner is the third of five miniatures I require in order for me to field a 123-point Reflex Armour-wearing unit armed with Mass Compactors and Implosion Grenades.

Initially undercoated with "Vallejo" Heavy Bluegrey, the figure was washed with "Citadel" Nuln Oil, and then had a layer of Chaos Black applied over all its weaponry, ammunition packs and hip-flask. The alien's metallic areas, including its firearm's nozzle, were subsequently treated to a combination of Ironbreaker and Nuln Oil, whilst its pouch was painted using a mix of "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna, Heavy Red and "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade.

Johnny Alpha & Wulf Sternhammer WIPs - The Search/Destroy agents have been primed

The Boromite's Mass Compactor had its hand-grips and main body slightly corroded with a light touch of "Mig Productions" Extreme Rust Wash and I 'picked out' the weapon's power lighting with "Vallejo" Heavy Khaki and "Citadel" Biel-Tan Green. Finally, the model's yellow(ish) armour, his "separate multi-functional nanite receptor nodes" and mining tool's distortion compensator were all coloured by heavily washing a layer of "Vallejo" Heavy Ochre with some "Citadel" Reikland Fleshshade.

Supposedly "released this Saturday & available in your local gaming stores" I'm already discovering my "inner mutant" by assembling Johnny Alpha, Wulf Sternhammer and Gronk from the "Strontium Dog Starter Game: The Good, the Bad and the Mutie" by "Warlord Games". These "central heroes" from the "2000 A.D." comic book series look very crisp metal sculpts indeed, and are accompanied within the box by an MDF flat-packed seven-piece Solar Farm scenery set made from MDF by Sarissa Precision.

The Stix Brothers & Gronk WIPs - All the models have been undercoated

Along with the obligatory rule-book, cards and tokens, the "great value" starter set also contains models of the infamous outlaws responsible for Wulf's death in Prog 465, "the notorious Max Bubba and four of his gang – Impetigo Jones, Brute Mosely, Skull and Low-Down O’Phee." However, rather than assemble them I've decided to start on my favourite Search/ Destroy agency contractors instead, the infamous Stix brothers.

Coming "from an unknown number of apparently identical mutants" these "ice-hearted killers" who "affect the look of gunfighters from Earth’s Old West" appear as if artist Carlos Ezquerra has somehow managed to actually pencil them in white metal, and arrived bundled alongside their Character card, Armoury cards (Gas Bomb and Frag Bomb) and Chicanery card (Stone Cold)...